The Bamun are one of various Bantu-speaking groups who migrated into the high Grasslands plateau of the Cameroons prior to the 17th century in order to avoid the Fula invasion of the Adamawa Plateau. Their society is largely agricultural, and village units are based around large agrarian plots that are technically owned by the fon (king) who is accorded political, economic and spiritual powers over the populace. His power is balanced by a council of nobles known as the Kamveu, and he is personally influenced by his mother, the Mafo.

The Bamun are believe in Christian, Islamic and animist religions according to area. The latter still produce paraphernalia to assist them in ancestor worship, which is achieved through retention and spiritual manipulation of their forefather’s skulls. Health is maintained through traditional medicine, while they also use a divination method similar to that of the Baule mouse oracle, but involving a spider. Most of their large sculptures represent members of the royal family and their antecedents, and were usually displayed in a court context and during ceremonies to manifest the Fon’s authority.

Pieces made from ivory are invariably prestige objects in African society, and while the precise meaning of the figure is uncertain, it is likely to be linked to an elite plea for fertility, or perhaps a representation of an elite member of society. This is an attractive piece of African art.